Final answer:
Being underweight can lead to significant health risks, including a weakened immune system and various nutrient deficiencies, which in turn can stunt growth and development, especially in children. Besides immediate health concerns, undernutrition has long-term implications on the immune system's ability to combat infections and may contribute to sustained poverty.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several health risks associated with being underweight, primarily a weakened immune system and nutrient deficiencies. Undernutrition can have severe implications, especially during childhood, affecting normal growth and development. Wasting and stunting may occur, along with severe syndromes like kwashiorkor and marasmus. Micronutrient deficiencies in iron, vitamin A, and iodine can lead to anemia, weakened immunity, blindness, and intellectual disabilities, among other issues. The majority of undernutrition cases globally are due to insufficient access to nutritious food rather than diseases, which emphasizes the importance of adequate nutrition for overall health.
Children who are undernourished may exhibit signs of wasting or stunting, indicating a severe lack of essential nutrients. Moreover, low birthweight due to maternal undernutrition is linked with increased susceptibility to diseases and developmental delays. Long-term effects of undernutrition also include a compromised ability to fight infections and maintain homeostasis. The societal implications of undernutrition are substantial, contributing to a cycle of poverty and impaired capability to work and earn income.